Tribute to Former Council Leader Cllr Roy Oldham

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds has paid tribute to former leader of Tameside Council Roy Oldham, who died earlier today.

Cllr Oldham, aged 76, who held the record as the longest serving council leader in the country, died in Tameside Hospital just after 9am.

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds MP said: "As council leader Roy Oldham led Tameside for many years. And he was crucial to ensuring Tameside is the thriving borough it is today.

"His devotion to the area he loved and to public service were outstanding. And there are few people in our community whose lives aren't in someway better because of the decisions he has made.

"He always had a strong and clear vision about how to make Tameside better - and a determination to make that happen.

"In addition, his commitment to the people of Longdendale, Hattersley, Mottram and Broadbottom as a local councillor was always clear. He loved the area and he will always be remembered very fondly by local people".

Cllr Oldham, who represented the Longdendale ward, was a founder member of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

He went on to chair Manchester International Airport's board. And he was chair the Greater Manchester Pension Fund for more than 23 years.

He worked tirelessly to improve areas of Tameside most in need of government support. Most recently he was instrumental in securing £200million to build 10 new high schools within the borough and last year he introduced the Tameside Works First scheme.

In recognition of his services to the people of Tameside he was awarded the CBE in the 1999 New Year's Honours and in 2005 he was made honorary Freeman of the Borough.